Virusara Privilege Honouring war heroes

he memories of the thirty year ethnic conflict remain to haunt the lives of all Sri Lankans to date. 
Millions of soldiers sacrificed their lives for the sake of the motherland and the time has now come to acknowledge their bravery. In an attempt to honour them for their service, the Virusara Privilege Card was launched as an initiative by President Maithripala Sirisena, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene and the Ranaviru Seva Authority.

Eligibility to obtain the card

Those eligible to obtain the card include the relatives of Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Defence Force personnel, who were killed as a result of terrorist attacks. It also includes wives and children of married officers and other ranks who were killed during operations. Parents or guardian of unmarried officers and other ranks that were killed during operations and adoptive guardians of unmarried officers who were killed during operations are also included.

"Those eligible to obtain the card include the relatives of Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Defence Force personnel, who were killed as a result of terrorist attacks"

Entitlements of the Privilege card

Some of the main entitlements for Virusara Privilege cardholders are as follows- 
Getting medical treatment and purchasing medicine at a concessionary price from State Pharmaceutical Corporation.
If a housing loan is required from a State/private bank to construct a house, it can be obtained at low interest rates.
Getting opportunities for the children of war heroes to follow courses in different educational institutions at a concessionary fee or free of charge. If vehicle leasing is required it can be obtained from State/private banks and financial institutions at a concessionary interest rate.
Ability for war heroes, who were attacked by terrorists and with 66% percentage of disability, to obtain a free bus/train pass to travel from home for medical treatment.
Ability to buy electrical appliances to pay in instalments with discounts.

Special guidelines

While the card is in possession the cardholders are prohibited to alter or transfer it and if proven, the relevant person would be deprived of all the privileges given to him and his beneficiaries. The card is valid for five years and relevant procedures must be followed to obtain a new card upon expiry. In addition to that, upon the death of the cardholder, the card should be returned to the Ranaviru Seva authority through the welfare unit of the relevant armed force/department.

All soldiers will get a variety of benefits: Ruwan Wijewardene

In his comments to the Daily Mirror, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene said the idea of introducing a card came about, while discussing how the Government could help soldiers, who had been combatants in the Army and what kind of services that the Government could give to them. “Then we thought of launching a card, where we could give them the sort of services they needed. Subsequently after that we found that there had been a card which was introduced during the previous Government but it was just a card.  “So we thought it would be a good thing to launch a card. For the first time we have got the private sector to come on board and extend their services to the Virusara privilege card. Right now there are about 48 companies including government and private enterprises. We are still expanding at the moment and there are many other private companies willing to join hands with us. 
“All the soldiers will get a wide variety of benefits. I think the previous government just concentrated on the combatants who won the war. But we have considered all who have been involved with the war from the start.”

We wanted to acknowledge the soldiers with respect and honour : A.P.G Kithsiri

Secretary to the State Minister of Defence A.P.G Kithsiri stated that the card was developed in order to acknowledge the soldiers with respect, honour and a unique identity.  “These were three main goals that we wanted to achieve through this card. The card offers a variety of services ranging from customer care to healthcare, vocational services and many more. “In terms of the benefits, for example if a soldier goes to one of our partnering food cities they will get a 5% discount on their total bill, if they visit another company like Damro, they will get a 10% discount and so on. In terms of healthcare the benefits are even higher. We have hospitals like Asiri, Hemas, Durdans and Ninewells joining hands with us and here for all check-ups and surgeries they offer a discount between 10-20%. In addition to that state and private banks such as People’s bank, Bank of Ceylon, National Savings Bank, Sampath Bank and Commercial Bank too have extended their valuable services.”

PIX BY PRadeep pathirana

Several of their rural branches have not been informed about this card. Soldiers should call the Ranaviru Seva hotline 0112081581/0703688788 and inform them.